Outsider or collaborator?

**sporranlegionaire** · 21st August 07, 01:41 AM

I suppose this continues from my last post in the 'Regrets' thread.
I know there are a few here who have no lineage reasons for wearing kilts (such as myself), and that Xmarks welcomes all who elect to being kiltwearers, or intending kiltwearers.
I'm hoping that none of us feel like 'outsiders', among a naturally overwhelming saturation of members who have a Celtic background.
I feel more like an affiliated spirit of their traditions.
My avatar's motto reads 'Any Dream Will Do', which roughly translates to 'If it pleases me, that's all I want'.
It pleases me, (not to try to pass myself off as being anything other than who I am - I'm naturally proud of being English), to be diverse in my choice of public uniform. Therefore I feel more of a collaborator.
I was wondering if any others 'in my boat' simply read posts feeling that they will not be respected as much should they make any comment.
I've already become 'Dunce Of The Week'

by thinking that a flower badge is an actual badge (in modern terms). I don't mind this - it's all part of the learning curve.
This thread probably won't gather many responses, and is simply to say how much I appreciate being here.

**sjrapid** · 21st August 07, 02:19 AM

Originally Posted by sporranlegionaire

...I've already become 'Dunce Of The Week'

by thinking that a flower badge is an actual badge (in modern terms). I don't mind this - it's all part of the learning curve.

Dunce? I don't think so. You asked the question that several others were probably thinking, and helped yourself and others in the community to gain knowledge in the process.

Best regards

**Jock Scot** · 21st August 07, 02:29 AM

Speaking personally,I am not the least bit bothered "which boat" anybody is sailing in,provided that they offer me the same courtesy.Any question that is asked in good faith should be answered in a like manner.To ask the same question,again,to the same person may well get a more robust reply.

**ardchoille** · 21st August 07, 02:58 AM

Speaking as a "full-blooded Scotsman", we're all on this big blue marble together. No one person on this planet is better nor worse, higher nor lower, more nor less accepted than anyone else.. all are equal in my opinion.

If you've ever read the history of the MacGregor clan, you'd know that we were once not accepted anywhere in society at all.. it was a crime punishable by death simply to claim the MacGregor name.

I respect all humans.. and would hope that they return that respect

**cessna152towser** · 21st August 07, 03:38 AM

As I'm 75% Scottish and 25% Irish I feel visitors from overseas should expect to see more kilts being worn when they visit Scotland, so I proudly wear mine. Though over the past few years I've come to think the kilt is becoming more of an American's garment - not only because we often see American visitors with Scots ancestry who proudly don a tartan kilt when they come here - but probably more so due to the advent of modern adaptations of the traditional kilt, such as the Utilikilt and Amerikilt which developed in the USA though they are now just beginning to be seen more here too. But hey, the kilt is a comfortable garment and everybody should feel free to wear one, regardless of nationality, race, colour or creed. Just my two pence worth on the subject.

**davedove** · 21st August 07, 04:22 AM

Don't worry about having Scottish blood. Like most Americans, I'm a mutt, with a mixture of blood. To tell the truth, I don't have that much Scottish blood. The nearest I can estimate so far is about 6%, certainly not a majority. Other than that, I'm about 3% Irish, over a quarter German, and the rest English. So it looks like I've probably got a fair amount of Saxon blood in me.

**Kid Cossack** · 21st August 07, 05:35 AM

"By choice, not by blood."

And I didn't know about the plant badge either.

**McMurdo** · 21st August 07, 05:45 AM

Don't worry remember what it says on the front page:
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X Marks the Scot is an international community of kilt wearers and those who encourage the wearing of kilts. Kilts are a man's garment and it is our goal to promote the wearing of the kilt in more than just the "Highland Games" situation. This is not a forum for men looking to wear womens clothing nor is it a forum for other types of men's un-bifurbricated garments. If you want to know more about kilts then you have come to the right place!

You do not have to be Scottish to post here or to wear a kilt. The name of this forum was chosen a while ago for different purposes and yet this website has evolved into what it is today. Please do not let the name deter you from posting.
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As for myself, I am Canadian, my parents were both born in Scotland, so i was aware of the kilt long before some, however as a child I was not taken by the idea of wearing one and did not have the confidence needed to pull it off, everything I have learned about how to wear the kilt has come from this forum, and I have met people that I am proud to call friends through it, it has also helped me through a very difficult time, it is much more than a a forum for Scots, it is as it says an international community of kilt wearers, with all that that entails, so friend please feel welcome.

**Perldog007** · 21st August 07, 06:09 AM

Have no idea of the percentages - Have Macbeth and Drummond lines, Chandlers ' and Nicholsons' from England-Jolly olde-one each, some unspecified Irish DNA, and some Fortney lineage from Wales.

All that qualifies me to do is to start a fight in an empty room!. I welcome anybody who wears or wants to wear the most masculine garment in the world as a kindred spirit. X-marks by choice not by blood I read somewhere recently.

This kiltie won't dismiss your posts or opinions just because you had the terribly bad form to be born outside a recognized clan. Given your tender age at the time of your birth, I think we can all agree to let this one slide.

In all seriousness, living in the U.K. probably gives you insights into the traditional culture of kilt wearing that some of us stateside don't have. I always read your posts with great interest.

Besides, according to my limited understanding, the British definitely played a role in the evolution of the kilt from the blanket that could not be aired out in a day's time to the unique modern garments I enjoy wearing daily.

While heritage is of interest to me, kilts are too. If a Burmese lady wants to post in D.I.Y. about how she made her kilt I am going to read it and see what I can learn.